Adjustable couch



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-'Sheet 1.-

G. GEERTZ. ADJUSTABLE 00mm.

No. 476,922. Patented June 14, 1892.

\\ WITNESSES:

Jfifi W W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES GEERTA, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

ADJUSTABLE COUCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,922 dated June 14, 1892.

Application filed January 80, 1892. Serial No. 419,745- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES GEERTZ, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, Kings county, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Adjustable Couches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to couches, and es pecially to a couch that can be adjusted in width to suit different purposes.

The invention consists in an adjustable couch formed of a series of slats connected by hinged braces, springs on the slots, a burlap covering secured to the top of the springs, cords connected with the burlap covering and the hinged braces, and a cushion on the bur lap covering along its longitudinal central line, which cushion has wingcushions on its edges.

The invention also consists in the construction and combination of parts and details, which will be fully described hereinafter, and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of my improved couch folded to its minimum dimensions, parts being broken out. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the under side of the same, parts being in section. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, showing the couch folded. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing it distended; and Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of part of the couch, showing the combined guide and distending bar. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view showing the manner of fastening the cushion. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of one end part of the couch.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The couch is constructed with a frame formed of aseries of longitudinal slats A, each provided at one end with an upwardly-inclined part A, which slats are each provided at each end with an upwardly-extendin g end piece B B. Each slat is provided on its under side with legs 0, one leg being at one end, another at the bottom of the inclined part A, and a third leg midway between, as shown. On each slat a series of helical springs D D are fastened, to the upper end of which springs a piece of burlap E is fastened, and on said piece of burlap the upholstered cushion F is fastened along the longitudinal contral line of the same only, there being no connection whatever between the edges of said cushion F and the burlap. The width of said cushion F is equal to the narrowest possible width of the couch. To each side edge of the cushion F a wing-cushion G is fastened, and likewise wing-cushions H and II are secured to the ends of the cushion F. Said wing-cushions G H H hang from the edges of the cushion F when the couch is folded. The end pieces B of the slats are connected with each other by. toggle-levers J or hinged braces,.whichwhen the couch is distended are also distended, and when the couch is folded are folded in the positions shown in Fig. 3. The slats A are also connected by toggle-levers J or hinged braces, as shown in the plan View of Fig. 2. Strings K are fastened to the burlap along lines midway between slats A, and the ends of said strings are secured to the bottom joints of the toggle-levers J, so that whenfthe slats are moved toward each other and the bottom joints of the toggle-levers moved downward they draw downward the strings K, whereby the burlap is drawn down between the slat and springs when the couch is folded, as shown 111m 3. Likewise strings K are fastened to the lining W, fastened to the under side of the slats, which strings K are connected with the upper joints of the toggle-levers, so that the lining is drawn up between the slats when the couch is folded. To the upper surfaces of one side slat two or more distending-bars M are secured, each provided with notches m in the edges, and to the opposite end slat corresponding slotted bars N are fastened, a pin M from the bar M passing through the slot of the corresponding bar N. Each bar N is provided with a spring-catch O, the end of which can snap into the notches in the corresponding bar M, so that the said spring-catch can lock the slats in place when folded or drawn from each other. For the purpose of holding the parts in place when folded, hooks O can be pivoted on the head and foot ends of the c0uch,and their ends can be passed into eyes 0 on the ends of the side slats, or any brace-bar can be used for holding the parts of the couch when distended, the ends of said brace bars being placed into angle-clips V, secured to the ends of the side slats.

The foot wing II of the cushion F is held in raised position,-as shown by dotted lines in .Fig. 1, when the couch is distended, and for the purpose of thus holding said foot-cushion flexible or rigid braces P are secured to the same and can be fastened to pins Q on the sides of the couch, as shown. Handles R are secured to the edge of one of the side slats to permit of pulling the slats from each other for distending the couch, and retaining-hooks U are fastened to the opposite side slat. Ordinarily when the couch is at its normal width, the slats are in contact with each other,

as shown in plan View in Fig. 2. The cushion F rests upon the burlap secured to the upper ends of the springs, and the wing-cushions hang down at the sides and ends of the couch.

When the couch is to be distended or widened for use as a bed, the handles R are seized, and the slats are drawn from each other as far as possible, this movement being limited by the bars M N or by cords T or chains fastened to the under or upper sides of the slats. The side wing-cushions G swing upward and rest upon the top of the couch, forming part of the covering-cushion of the 0 same, and the foot wing-cushion H can be swung up, as shown in dotted lines.

After the couch has been widened or distended the parts are locked in place by means of the distending-bars or their equivalents, as

3 5 mentioned, so as to prevent accidental collapsing. A pocket I .for bedding, &c., is formed under the inclined parts A of the slats.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In an extensible couch, the combination, with a series of slats provided with end pieces, vertically folding braces uniting the end pieces, springs on the slats, a burlap covering on said springs, and cords fastened to said 4 covering between the springs and secured to the hinged folding braces uniting the said end pieces, substantially as set forth.

2. In an extensible couch, the combination, with a series of slats provided with end pieces, 5 of vertically-folding braces connecting the end pieces, springs on the slats, a burlap covering secured to the tops of the springs, a lining secured to the under sides of the slats, and strings secured to the top burlap and b0t 5 tom lining and connected with the joints of the folding braces, substantially as set forth.

3. In an extensible couch, the combination, with a series of slats, of hinged braces connecting them, springs on the slats, a burlap 6 covering secured to the tops of the springs, and a cushion fastened along its central line only to the burlap covering, substantially as set forth.

4. In an extensible couch, the combination, 6 with a series of slats, of hinged braces uniting them, springs on the slats, a burlap covering secured to the tops of the springs, and a cushion fastened along its central line to the burlap covering, which cushion is provided with 7 wings at its sides and at its ends, substantially as set forth.

5. In an extensible couch, the combination, with a series of slats, of hinged braces connecting them, springs on the slats, a covering 7 on said springs, a cushion resting on the covering, wings at the sides and ends of said cushion, and braces for holding the wing at the foot end of the couch-frame in raised position, substantially as set forth. 8c

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES GEERTZ. \Vitnesses:

OSCAR F. GUNZ, R. L. MAYNARD. 

